If you're a newbie to the world of strength training, one of the first pieces of equipment you're likely to encounter is the lat pulldown machine.
And if you're anything like the average gym-goer, you're probably wondering just how much weight is on that bad boy.
Well, wonder no more! As an expert content writer with extensive experience in the world of weightlifting, I'm here to break it all down for you. There are three main types of lat pulldown machines:
- Rack attachment
- Weight stack
- Plate-loaded
Let’s explore each one to see which behemoth has the bigger capacity! The lat pulldown rack attachment is precisely as it sounds: it’s a lat pulldown attached to a power rack.
These tend to mount to the rear of a power rack and are usually plate-loaded, so they allow the user to perform lat pulldowns and low rows by sliding their own weight plates onto the horns.
Since they’re built for home gym users, they tend to have a lower weight capacity of between 200-400 pounds.The weight stack version of the lat pulldown machine is by far the most common.
These machines are typically found in commercial gyms and feature a stack of weight plates that are connected to the pulley system. You adjust the weight by placing a pin in the stack at the desired weight level.
So, how much weight is on a lat pulldown machine with a weight stack? Well, it depends on the specific machine you're using.
Most machines have a weight stack that ranges from 80 to 200 pounds, but some like our Lat Pulldown Low Row Machine can go as high as 310 pounds!
Of course, this is just the weight of the stack itself and doesn't take into account any additional weight you might add with plates using a Weight Stack Pin. Plate-loaded lat pulldown machines are less common in commercial gyms, but can still be found aplenty — especially in home gyms.
Like the rack attachment versions, these have weight horns that accept the same plates you’d like on a barbell.
Unlike the weight stack version, the weight on these machines is not pre-set. This means if you have fractional plates, you can load as little as 1-pound increments!
So, how much weight can you load onto a plate-loaded lat pulldown machine? Again, it depends on the specific machine you're using.
Most plate-loaded machines have a weight capacity of around 300 to 500 pounds, but some can go even higher. Of course, you might not be lifting that much weight anytime soon, but it's nice to know the machine can handle it if you decide to get serious.
So, there you have it. The amount of weight on a lat pulldown machine can vary depending on the specific machine you're using.
Whether you're using a rack-attached version, a weight stack type, or a plate-loaded model, you can adjust the weight to your liking and challenge yourself as you progress in your fitness journey.
And who knows, maybe one day you'll be lifting more weight than you ever thought possible… so keep pushing yourself. Happy lifting!
